Worth



H. WADSWORTH.

Tooth Brush.

N, PETERS. Pholo-Ulhognphef. Washin ton. D

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

H. N. WADSWORTH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TOOTH-BRUSH.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 28,794, dated June 19, 1860.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, H. NICHOLS ADS- WORT of the city of ashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Brushes for Cleaning the Teeth; and I do hereby declare the following to be a clear and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated my improved brush by a perspective view of the same.

Previous to my present invention tooth brushes have been so constructed in all of the various modifications. as to be incapable of conveniently reaching and perfectly cleaning the sides and backs of the molar teeth. After a series of experiments I arrived at a construction of brush in which the bristles were arranged obliquely at the end (which was wedge-shaped) and so as to approach nearly or quite to a right angled position near the heel of the brush, and such formation of tooth brush I made subject of Letters Patent which have been granted to me. But I have learned by experience and experiment that a tooth brush so constructed is void of practical utility and further that no brush can be made to work both ways (as it must to clean all the teeth) and that a brush to get at and properly cleanse the molar teeth, must have its bristles set very obliquely and its stock end tapered ofi into a wedge-shape. I have therefore discovered the necessity of a distinct and separate implement for cleaning the molar teeth, and my invention consists in an improved brush for cleaning the molar teeth so constructed that it can be conveniently run in behind the molar teeth and perfectly cleanse them, as will be hereinafter described.

A, is the handle or stock of my improved brush and, B, the brush portion or bristles.

It will be seen from the drawing that the back A at the brush end is tapered off into a wedge shape at a, and the bristles B are set at an angle of about degrees with the side of back A (next to the bristles) so that the end of the brush presents a wedge or pointed shape. hen the brush is thus constructed by inserting it over the grinding surfaces of the molar, far back in the mouth, it forces away the muscles and the cheek and its point reaches around the necks and behind the molars; then by a forward drawing motion it does its work of cleansing thoroughly, and with an up and down mot-ion (laterally with the brush) a very desirable effect will be produced.

It will be understood that my improved brush is not calculated to use as a brush for cleaning all the teeth, for the peculiarities of formation from which arise its advantages and utility as an implement for cleansing those teeth, which brushes as heretofore made do not clean Well, renders it impractical for working in both directions as a brush for all the teeth must.

It may be remarked that my improved molar brush may be employed with great advantage in cleaning the insides of the frontteeth with the drawing motion as before explained.

Having described the construction and operation of my improved implement and disclaiming the broad idea of the arrangement of bristles obliquely in a brush, what I do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The construction of a brush, with a wedge-shaped end in combination with the obliquely set bristles, the whole arranged and operating as specified and for the purposes set forth.

H. NICHOLS WADSWVORTI-I.

Witnesses:

L. F. WVHITNEY, IV. MoK. TUCKER. 

